The Gold Coins of England

Robert Lloyd Kenyon, 1884
(Richard II 1377-1399)

RICHARD II, 1377 TO 1399.

The coins of Richard II resemble in all respects the last issued by his grandfather,
excepting that they have Richardís name on the obverse, and R instead of E in the centre
of the reverse. The noble continued to weigh 120 grs., and was current for 6s 8d, and the
others in proportion; but from several petitions presented to Parliament in this reign, and
from the examination of some witnesses upon this point before the House of Lords in
1381 and 1382, it appears that the intrinsic value of the gold coins was higher than their
nominal value. Great complaints were also made of the clipping of the coins, both of gold
and silver, and of their exportation; and accordingly a statute was passed in 1381
forbidding their exportation except for the wages of the kingís fortresses beyond the sea.
The gold coins are not common. At Mr. Bergnesí sale, in 1873, two half nobles sold for
£10. 10s and £15 respectively.